We’re a few weeks in and my room is finally coming together enough to give you all a little classroom tour. Each year I move things around a little and organize a bit more. I’ve learned not to stress myself out by trying to have everything done before the first day of school. I’ve finally had a chance to grab a few pictures and give you all a peek into our home away from home. My classroom decor is more a color scheme than a theme and as you can see, blue just plain makes me happy!
I made matching labels and simple, circle themed bulletin board headers to give the room a calm and consistent look.
Our guided reading table sits next to the class library at the back of the room. I’ve moved this area several times throughout the years, but this spot in the back of the room provides me with the best view of every part of the room without blind spots. Some of our center baskets live on top of the classroom library as well as various work spaces around the room.
I keep a cloth laundry basket from Big Lots next to my reading table with all of the generic charts that I reuse each year. I often laminate charts before using them then use Mr. Sketch markers or sticky notes to record information. With their water base, Mr. Sketch markers wipe off cleanly with a damp paper towel, so no more smudgy charts. The label can be found in my birds in blues classroom decor set.
Our desks are arranged in color coded groups that serve as teams. Each team has a table box with team color labels to hold white boards, data folders and other materials that get used several times throughout the day. This picture was taken last year during the week of our 100th day. You can see our 100th day portraits and writing displayed on the student work wall.
During the first days of school I teach my class how to stay organized and what the expectations are. I also model what to do and where to find supplies if they need them.
Students keep individual supplies like crayons and glue sticks in their desks, while extra community supplies are stored in labeled baskets that serve as “drawers” inside a desk at the front of the room.
Our birthday display and daily schedule is to the left of the SMARTBoard at the front of the room. These black drawer units hold extra teacher supplies, colored paper and card stock. I use colored poster board and scrapbook paper cut to fit the sides of the drawers to hide my supplies, cut down on clutter, and give the space a cleaner look.
I use a very simple, and easy to switch out bulletin board to display student work. To make the board I sprayed lots of clothespins at once by attaching them to the lid of an open pizza box. I sprayed one side, then closed the lid and sprayed the other side. Easy peasy!
I then made a simple circle template and copied it on colored card stock to match my color scheme. Using a hot glue gun, I attached the clothespins and simply stapled the completed circles to my bulletin board.
This is the word wall I use with smaller versions of my alphabet line printed two per page. I love these blue and green labels from Ladybug’s Teacher Files!
Our classroom news bulletin board is communication central, located right by the door. It displays info for parents, volunteers, students, and admin. Things like our weekly newsletter, lunch menus, extra copies of homework, field trip info, my class split list, and lesson plans are labeled and posted on boards like this one.
I hope you’re enjoyed this classroom tour and maybe even found some classroom decor ideas you can use.
Happy teaching!
Where did you get your small group meeting table
Your room is fantastic! Thank you for sharing all your great things!
I love your classroom very much. I love how neatly put together everything is. Thank you for sharing.
I love how inviting your classroom looks. It’s not overwhelming nor it is intimidating.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you and you are so welcome!
You’re so welcome!
I love your blue color scheme, everything looks beautiful ?
Thank you, Anika! That is so nice of you!
Fantastic ideas! thank you for sharing <3
You’re so welcome Marilyn!
Did I tell you I LOVE your classroom!? I forgot to mention that your Clock Tree is adorable and I love your storage idea for anchor charts! I can’t wait until teaching is back in the classroom… probably not this year though. 😉
Thank you Debra, that is so nice of you!
I LOVE your classroom! The love the colors, the continuity, the organization, and of course…your CREATIVITY! Thanks for sharing! I have some changes I need to make. 🙂
I love all your ideas. It very helpful and I have been learned a lost in the new school year.
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring pictures with other teachers!
I love the bulletin board color theme on the classroom news, do you know the manufacturer of the polka dot border?
Linda you have a beauitiful classroom! I really wanted to see your center’s. I am a second grade teacher and this is my second year as a teacher. I was a first grade teacher assistant we do center time and AR time in math. I just wanted to see how to set them up.
I can’t wait to spray paint my clothespins! Last year I bought pretty plastic ones. Every time I went to change the papers, some of them shattered! Thanks for the tip on how to quickly and easily paint clothespins to match my decor!
Your room looks great! Could you share where you found your text feature posters?
Love these ideas from your classroom. My favorite is the way you keep your anchor charts neatly organized. Thanks for sharing! Whit
Your room is beautiful! How did you get the contact paper onto the guided reading (u shaped table)
Thank you Eileen! What you are seeing is actually the table top itself. The formica table top is white with tiny grey speckles.
What are the dimensions of your guided reading table?
Linda! Your room looks so beautiful! I have also decorated in calming blues for my 2nd grade classroom and for two years now I have looked for the two colors of fabric you have on your bulletin boards and cannot find that color/design anywhere. Could you please share where you got the bulletin board fabric (and the names – if you happen to know – of the style/make/designer of the fabric) please. Your classroom is inspiring and I would love to mimic your bulletin boards. Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring pictures with other teachers!
Sincerely,
Kelly Baker
Hi Kelly!
Oh, thank you! Blue is such a happy and calming color isn’t it? I found the fabric I used at Walmart several years ago, but I have seen it recently there so I know they still carry it. There were 4 colors in the series, royal blue, turquoise, purple, and lime green, all with tiny grey specks on the solid colors. If you don’t see it at your store try some other locations as they may just be out of it. I used dark blue and turquoise corrugated Bordette brand border that comes on rolls from the teacher store. They don’t always have the dark blue but you can order it online from Amazon I believe.
I hope this helps and you have a fantastic new school year!
I’m absolutely in LOVE with your decor ! If you don’t mind telling me though, what are those posters on your READING bulletin board (Evaluate, Monitor etc etc)?
Thanks a million for the inspiration !
Hi Mervy,
Aren’t those posters great? I found them on Teachers Pay Teachers by Instruct and Inspire. She has lots of poster sets and they are all amazing!
I love all your ideas. Do you use Daily 5? Where do the kids store their books for read to self? In that zip lock baggie? How many table groups do you have? What do they store in cubbies? Thanks
I love the colors in the classroom, and the different ideas you have.
Thank you Phyllis! I hope you found some ideas you can use in your classroom. Have a fantastic new school year!
looks beautiful. can you tell me where you found the reading strategies cards that are behind your small group table?
I love your ideas. After 35 years of teaching I can use some fresh ideas. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Anne! I’m so glad you found some ideas you can use!